Cheltenham Town Academy boss Antoine Thompson has urged the club's rising stars to use the FA Youth Cup as another chance to impress.
The young Robins kick-off in the competition tonight (Monday) when they travel south to play AFC Totton Under-18s in the First Round (kick-off 7.45pm).
It has been a strong few weeks for the Academy Under-18s set-up with a 5-1 win over Forest Green Rovers followed up by a 2-1 win over Yeovil Town at the weekend in the quarter-finals of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
And now manager Thompson is hopeful his young guns can fire in the FA Youth Cup opening round.
He said: “We can’t wait for the game. If we get through we have Welling United at home which will be another good game for us. It starts now with the first round.
“The Under-18s have picked up really well the last few weeks. We have got a young first year side out with a few second years playing for us.
“The boys found it difficult at the beginning of the season, but now the boys are getting physically stronger and we’re competing, hence our recent 5-1 win over Forest Green Rovers which was fantastic.
“It’s about pushing these lads and getting them opportunities to be seen by the first team manager and hopefully play for the first team,” he added.
“Lloydy (George Lloyd) has been in good form, scoring a lot of goals. He continues to knock on the door along with a number of other second years, the likes of Lee Llewelyn who has been on the bench for the Reserves.
“We have Ben Hailwood, who is a real impact player for us, he is getting stronger and fitter and on his day he can cause the teams a nightmare.
“Probably our most improved player is our left back Ryan Davis. He’s been fantastic for us so well done to him.
“We have Ross Grimshaw in goal who has been very consistent and also our other goalkeeper Lewis Clayton who has been out on a loan at Bishop’s Cleeve getting valuable experience. He’s been tested a lot which can only help with his development."